All-in-One vs. All-in-Two Solar Street Lights: Which One is Better for Your Project?

The global shift toward renewable energy has transformed the outdoor lighting industry. Gone are the days of bulky, inefficient, and high-maintenance street lamps. Today, solar street lighting has evolved into sophisticated systems that are smarter, brighter, and more durable. However, for project managers, municipal engineers, and distributors, a critical question often arises during the procurement phase: Should we choose All-in-One or All-in-Two solar street lights?

Understanding the technical nuances between these two configurations is essential for ensuring long-term solar lighting efficiency and maximizing your Return on Investment (ROI). In this guide, we will break down the evolution of these systems, their unique advantages, and how to choose the right fit for your specific geographical and technical requirements.

The Evolution of Solar Street Lighting

In the early stages of solar technology, "Split-Type" solar street lights were the standard. These systems involved separate solar panels, bulky lead-acid batteries buried underground, and complex wiring connecting the light fixture. While functional, they were difficult to install and prone to theft and corrosion.

The industry moved toward integration to solve these pain points. This led to the birth of the All-in-One (AIO) system, where everything is housed in a single casing, and the All-in-Two (AIO2) system, which offers a strategic balance between integration and power scalability.

1. The All-in-One Advantage: Simplicity and Elegance

All-in-One solar street lights, often referred to as integrated solar lights, combine the four main components into one sleek body: the solar panel, the LED light source, the Lithium (LiFePO4) battery, and the intelligent MPPT controller.

Key Benefits:

• Plug-and-Play Installation: Because there is no external wiring, installation is incredibly fast. A team can install dozens of units in a single day using only basic tools, significantly reducing labor costs.

• Superior Anti-Theft Design: In many regions, battery theft is a major concern for public lighting projects. With an AIO system, the battery is hidden deep within the aluminum housing at the top of the pole, making it nearly impossible to steal.

• Compact & Low Shipping Costs: The integrated design is compact, allowing for high-density packing. This reduces international freight costs—a vital factor for large-scale projects in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.

• E-Able Power’s Starship Series: Our Starship Series epitomizes the AIO philosophy. It features a streamlined aerodynamic design, high-lumen Bridgelux LED chips, and a specialized microwave sensor that optimizes energy use by dimming the light when no motion is detected.

2. The All-in-Two Strength: Scalability and Power

While All-in-One lights are excellent for parks and residential streets, they have a physical limitation: the size of the solar panel is restricted by the size of the light fixture. This is where All-in-Two (AIO2) solar street lights shine.

In an AIO2 system, the LED lamp, battery, and controller are integrated into one unit, but the solar panel is separate.

Why Choose All-in-Two?

• Maximized Solar Lighting Efficiency: Since the solar panel is independent, you can use a much larger PV module (e.g., 150W or 200W) than what could fit on top of an integrated lamp. This is crucial for projects requiring high brightness (over 10,000 lumens) or long backup days in cloudy climates.

• Adjustable Tilt for Optimum Sun Exposure: Fixed AIO panels might not always face the sun at the ideal angle. With an All-in-Two system, the panel can be tilted and rotated independently of the light fixture to capture maximum peak sun hours.

• High-Intensity Applications: AIO2 systems are the "workhorses" of the industry. They are the go-to choice for six-lane highways, industrial zones, and major arterial roads where safety standards demand high lux levels throughout the night.

3. Technical Comparison: At a Glance

To help you visualize the differences, here is a comparison based on performance metrics:

4. Factors to Consider for Your Project

Choosing between these two is not about which technology is "better," but which is right for your environment.

Geographical Location & Latitude

If your project is near the equator, where the sun is directly overhead, an All-in-One light (like our SunMyth series) is highly efficient. However, if you are in a high-latitude region (further North or South), you need the adjustable panels of an All-in-Two system to compensate for the lower sun angle.

Lighting Requirements (Lux Levels)

Does your project require "Category A" road lighting standards? If you need a light mounted at 10–12 meters high to illuminate a wide highway, the All-in-Two is usually necessary to provide the required battery capacity and solar charging speed. For 4–6 meter poles in parking lots or gardens, the All-in-One is the more cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing choice.

Maintenance and Lifecycle

Both systems from E-Able Power utilize LiFePO4 batteries, which offer over 2,000 discharge cycles. While AIO units are easier to swap out entirely, AIO2 units allow you to upgrade just the solar panel in the future without changing the light engine, providing a bit more modular flexibility.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

In summary:

• Choose All-in-One if you prioritize low installation costs, sleek design, and anti-theft features for urban or residential areas.

• Choose All-in-Two if you need maximum power, high-intensity brightness for highways, or if your project is located in a region with limited peak sun hours.

At E-Able Power, we don't just sell lights; we provide energy solutions. Our engineering team is ready to provide a DIALux lighting simulation for your project to determine exactly which model—be it our Starship AIO or our high-performance AIO2 series—will deliver the best performance for your specific site.

Ready to illuminate your next project?

Contact our technical team todayfor a free consultation and a detailed project quote.